The Broadway League develops IBDB application

The free app, available for all iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), provides users with much of the same information available from IBDB.com. The app, like the website, contains a database of all Broadway productions over the "last three centuries," according to a press release from The Broadway League. Performance information that is available includes a list of cast members; preview, opening and closing dates; awards and nominations; and grosses. In addition to these features, the app contains photos and videos for current shows such as "Wicked," "Chicago," and "The Phantom of the Opera." Users can also click on a direct link to iTunes where they can listen to songs from the production.

"IBDB is the official industry database that preserves the accuracy of our historical archival information," said Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League. "We manage it, update it, and now we continue to modernize it with the app, videos, photos, and more. We're thrilled to add it to our other recent new apps and Internet chat components," she adds.

In June 2011, The Broadway League announced the release of the ILoveNYTheater app that allows theatergoers to purchase tickets, available at several price points, directly from the theater ticketing offices, which eliminates the need to pay broker markups.

The app, which is an extension of the popular website from The Broadway League, also contains up-to-date information such as theater locations, performance times for the current week and upcoming performances, a guide to hotel and dining options, as well as links to a production's Facebook page, Twitter feed, and YouTube channel.

Both the IBDB and ILoveNYTheater apps cater to the on-the-go lifestyles of theatergoers. The IBDB app encourages discovery among theater veterans as well as those looking to attend their first Broadway show. The ILoveNYTheater app eases the process of searching for performances and purchasing tickets.

Although the IBDB app is one of the latest Broadway-centered apps, there are several other companies offering similar apps that streamline the ticket buying process in order to attract more visitors to the Great White Way.

BroadwayWorld.com has an app with a feature called "Pick a Broadway Show" that suggests productions based on multiple descriptions. TKTS offers an app as a companion to the popular Theatre Development Fund's discount ticket booth, which tells users what productions are offering discount tickets and the location of the booth where they can find the tickets.

According to research conducted by The Broadway League, 62 percent of Broadway tickets are purchased by tourists, with 44 percent of consumers buying tickets online.

Apps like those provided by The Broadway League make it easier for tourists to access information regarding Broadway shows and provide them with multiple ways to purchase tickets directly from their smartphones.